You're so right about that. My friends and I have all received comments similar to that since we've started learning BSL (mainly for our friend who deaf in one ear, and losing hearing in the other) and it pisses me off to see people begin to dehumanise her because of her disability. To assume that she is a 'pity case' also kinda dumbs down her whole identity to her being disabled. It's honestly so piss taking to see her and others with disabilities get viewed as a 'social work' when they are obviously so much more than that. She's not 'just a deaf girl', she's funnier, smarter more hard working and kinder (to a fault tbh) than most fully-abled people I know. And shes a ninjago fan.
I love that the author addressed it too, like people speak other languages and otherabled individuals are not a burden or something extra. They're just people and interacting with people in different ways to accommodate them shouldn't be seen as extra, beautifully written
that "social work" comment hit me instantly too I was ready to throw hands lol. Speaking to your (boy)friend in the language he best understands is NOT social work! Bruh, I wish people would just internalise that existing as a minority and or disabled person should be treated normally and not always viewed as some sort of "social work" or "social justice." Not everything they do needs to be some sort of statement or activism. Its so dehumanising. Just let people EXIST and go about their lives. Random rant over lmai